Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Xpeng employee’s remark about middle-aged buyers draws criticism
At a livestreamed new-model launch on October 15, an Xpeng product manager mocked some car designs as unable to attract young buyers.
The manager used “Lao Deng,” slang for middle-aged people seen as old-fashioned but arrogant.
The remark drew harsh criticism from middle-aged consumers in China.
The controversy comes as Chinese car sales slow, putting carmakers’ marketing tactics in the spotlight.
Industry officials and analysts say regulators are stepping up reliability checks on automotive companies.
The sources do not say what action Xpeng will take over the remark.
An Xpeng product manager used a slang term for middle-aged people during a live-streamed new model launch.
The remark drew harsh criticism from middle-aged consumers.
The term was used to satirise car designs that the manager said could not attract young buyers.
The controversy came as Chinese carmakers’ marketing tactics faced scrutiny and regulators stepped up automotive quality checks.
- Who
- An Xpeng product manager made the remark, and middle-aged consumers criticised it.
- What
- The manager used the slang term “Lao Deng” to satirise certain car designs.
- When
- October 15, during a live-streamed new model launch ceremony.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The manager used the term to describe designs that could not attract young buyers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Company
- Xpeng
- Date
- October 15
- Term
- Lao Deng
- Meaning
- Slang for middle-aged people who appear old-fashioned but arrogant
- Context
- The comment was made at a live-streamed new model launch ceremony
What people are saying
Lao Deng